Kirschenbaum



Sept. 8, 1959 s. KIRSCHENBAUM 24,595

' CAPPING DEVICE Original Filed May 2, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 UnitedStates Patent Oiiice Re. 24,695 Reissued Sept. 8, 1959 CAPPING DEVICESamuel Kirschenbaum, New York, N .Y.

Original No. 2,829,807, dated April s, 1958, Serial No. 582,149, May 2,1956. Application for reissue May 19, 1958, Serial No. 736,950

Claims. (Cl. 222-421) Matter enclosed in heavy brackets appears in theoriginal patent but forms no part of this reissue specification; matterprinted in italics indicates the additions made by reissue.

This invention relates generally to the bottle closure art, and moreparticularly to an improved form of capping device for use inconjunction with liquid drop dispensing devices. Reference is made toPatent No. 2,411,435 entitled Liquid Dispensing Device, granted November19, 1946, to S. Kirschenbaum which shows a typical application of theinvention.

9 Liquid dispensing devices of the type disclosed in the above mentionedpatent are used in connection with hottiesfor controlling the flow ofliquid from the same, and are adapted to provide for the emptying ofliquid containers in the form of drops flowing at a substantial- 1yuniform rate. The operation of such devices is dependent upon themaintenance of certain balances between the flow of air into thecontainer, and the flow of liquid therefrom. Proper initial operationdepends upon the passages of the device being free of liquid which mightdistort the above mentioned balance. While the devices disclosed in theabove mentioned Patent No. 2,411,435 are generally satisfactory, it hasbeen found that capping devices of conventional type are not suitable inthose applications where it is necessary to shake the container ofliquid to assure a uniform mixture of liquid before dispensing. Duringthe shaking operation, the liquid dispensing passages become filled withliquid so that upon removal of the capping device and the tilting of thecontainer to dispense the drops of liquid, the initial flow may be toofast for accurate drop count and control.

I. It has also been found that the conventional cap made of a rigidplastic and relying only upon pressure to seal is-insufficient when usedin conjunction with a bottle insert or fitment made of a non-rigidflexible plastic having the properties of polyethylene if the pressureis applied to sections of the fitment that are not supported byunyielding surfaces.

It is therefore among the principal objects of the present invention toprovide an improved capping device for use in conjunction with dropdispensing devices of the class described in which the above mentioneddiificulties are substantially eliminated.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of improvedcapping construction which is adapted to seat tightly upon the dropdispensing device without damage to any .of the relatively delicateparts thereof.

f Another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improvedcapping device adapted for use in conjunction with a drop dispensingdevice possessed of the above enumerated advantages, in which the costof fabrication may be of a reasonably low order, with consequent widesale, distribution and use.

A feature of the invention lies in the fact that the same may be formedfrom a single molding of synthetic resinous material, with a completeabsence of sealing gaskets, liners, and the like.

Another feature of the invention lies in the pockets of trapped airbetween interconnecting parts to provide an effective seal against theflow of liquids therethrough.

These objects and features, as well as other incidental ends andadvantages, will become more clearly apparent during the course of thefollowing disclosure, and be pointed out in the appended claims.

On the drawing, to which reference will be made in the specification,similar reference characters have been employed to designatecorresponding parts throughout the several views.

Figure 1 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view showing an embodimentof the invention in position upon a drop dispensing device.

Figure 1A is a plan view as seen from the plane 1A-1A on Figure 1.

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of the embodiment.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view, corresponding in most respectsto that seen on Figure 1, but showing an alternate form of theembodiment.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view, corresponding in most respectsto that seen on Figure 1, but showing a second alternate form of theembodiment.

Figure 5 is a similar fragmentary sectional view showing a thirdalternate form of the embodiment.

Figure 6 is a similar fragmentary sectional view show ing a fourthalternate form of the embodiment.

In accordance with the invention, the device, general- 1y indicated byreference character 10 is shown in conjunction with a liquid dispensingdevice 11 disposed within the neck 12 of a liquid container (not shown).The construction and operation of the liquid dispensing device 11 issubstantially as set forth in Patent No. 2,411,- 435, and will thereforenot be discussed in great detail herein. In accordance with said patent,the device 11 includes a neck engaging annular portion 15, an outertubular member 16 having a flared portion 17 thereon, a perforated wall18, and an inner tubular member 19 having a lower wall 20 thereon, thewall 20 having a vent 21 therein. In the device 11 illustrated, theupper edge 22 of the outer tubular member 16 and the upper edge 23 ofthe inner tubular member 19 are in co-planar relationship, but it is tobe understood that such showing is purely exemplary, as the device 10may be modified to accommodate those cases where the co-planarrelationship does not exist. When in use, air flows in the direction ofthe arrow 24 through the vent 21 to permit liquid to flow in thedirection indicated by the arrow 25 through the perforated wall 18 toform drops on the flared portion 17. If liquid is brought into theinterstice 28 by necessary shaking or inadvertent handling, a quantityof liquid accumulates which is greatly in excess of the normal amount ofliquid in the device required for eflicient functioning. In theconventional cap, the whole fitment becomes filled with liquid whichbrings about this condition.

The device 10 is preferably formed by molding a suitable synthetic resinhaving the desired properties of strength and a limited degree offlexibility. Where the device 11 is formed from a relatively softsynthetic resin having the properties of polyethylene, the device 10 maybe formed of a relatively harder synthetic resin, preferably of thephenol or styrene types. The device 10 includes a body 29 having anouter annular surface 30, an upper surface 31, a threaded surface 32selectively engageable with threads 33 on the neck 12 and a first planarinwardly disposed surface 34 adapted to rest upon the flange 14 when inengaged position.

Adjacent the surface 34 is a first annular groove 35 of suitable crosssection" to permit the same to clear the flared portion 17 of thetubular member 16. In the embodiment shown on Figure 1, the groove is ofgenerally rectangular cross section including outer. surface 42, abottom 43 and a partial" inner surface 44'. The" depth of the groove 35is such that When the surface 34 rests upon the upper surface 40 of theflange 14" the flared portion 17 is free of contact with any) portion.of thedevice Disposed adjacent the groove 35 is a first annular flange:or. projection 36 havinga wedge shaped surface 46 thereon adapted tocontact thereinforced junction between the flared portion 17 andthe=planarflange 14. outer'cylindr-ical' surface 47 is'adapted to slidewithinzthe. interstice 28, while the rounded bottom surface 48 assures asmooth sliding fit. A similarly cylindrical inner'surface 49- contactsthe' outer' surface of" the-inner tubular member 191 A second annulargroove 37 is d'isposed" adjacent the firstv annular projection 36 andincludes a bottom' surface 50 and an inner annular surface 51. Thesurface 51 mergesiwith'. the outer cylindricali surface 52 oftheax-ially or centrally disposed projection 38 which is provided with.an end. surface 53 adapted to penetrate the opening within the innertubular member 19'; Asmay be seen on Figure. l, the surface. 50 is-positioned so as to clear the upper edge 23 whereby a pocket of"trapped air provides a seal. similar to that provided by the annulargroove 35; The above. mentioned pocket may be eliminated, if: desired;provided an efiective seal is made at. the upper end? of the innertubular member 19;.

When the device 10? is engaged with the device 11 owing; to a.differential. resilience between the" component parts to the twodevicesa. slight distortion occursto proa vide. an hermetic seal.between the. planar surface of the flange 14 and the surface.34;.Avsecond seal ismade atthe contact of the cylindrical. surface 46= withthe rein-- forced: junction between; the: flared portion. 17 andtheplanar flange 14-.v A. third seal is madeby the engagement' of. thesurface 51. with the: outer surface of the inner. tubular member 19.Still. another seal is formed by the engagement of the centrallydisposed. projection 38 withthe inner tubular member. Air trapped withinthe groove 35 contributes to. this efiect. in: that no liquid canenterthe groove. without displacing the air, andthe pressure of the air issuch as to force: liquid in the op posite direction. Thus, in closed:condition, the: container of liquid may be shaken: vigorously withoutrsubstantial accumulation of liquid, that. issto say the liquid whichaccumulates is within; the'nor-mal range for proper operation.Accordingly, it is possible to removethe device 10 from the device.-llland commence; controlled flow of drops from. the container of liquid"in! such a: manner that drops are immediately formed.

Turning now to the alternateform of. the invention as. shown on Figure 3of the drawing, the same. differs. from. the principal. form only in theomission. of. the. centrally disposed projection 38.- This. form ispar:-

ticularly useful. where. the centrally disposed opening.

in the drop dispensing device. is so smallastomake. the

centrally disposed projection difficult to mold-r In such.

cases, an adequate seal will be obtained without the presence' ofthecentrally disposed projection. The elimination of the centrally disposedprojection also saves the material which would normally be" used to formthe same, with a consequent simplification and reduction in moldingcosts.

In this form ofthe embodiment; owing to the" close- 4; to those of theprincipal form are designated with similar reference characters with theadditional sufiix a.

The second alternate form of the invention differs from the principalform principally in that it is particularly adapted for use in liquidcontainers having relatively narrow neck portions. Accordingly, theouter tubular member 16a engages the inner surface of the neck 12a andthe interstice' 2 8 is suificiently narrow that the major portion of theseal. is effected by contact between the tapered surfaces 58 and 59.Here contact as shown is permissible without damage: to the" di 8e 10,owing to the fact that the flared portion. 17 is directly supported bythe upper edge 60' of the neck Turning now to the third alternate formof the embodiment as. illustrated" on Figure 5, of the drawing", partscorresponding to those of the: principal formhave been designated bysimilar reference characters. with. the additional suflix b. In thisform, the inner tubular member 19b is lowered, to permit the device 10to be inwardly recessed with a consequent saving of material comprisingvthe cap;- An; additional air" seal is formed within. the groove: 63; theannular projection 6 cod tacting a portion of. the device. 1015 whichis? supp rted by the neck- 12b of the liquid containers Turning now tothe fourth alternate form: of the em bodiment as illustrated: on. Figure63 of the: drawing,-

parts corresponding to. those: of. the principal form OF the embodimenthave been designated by similar" reference characters w-ith. theadditionaL suifix -cf Itt-tl'lis for-m-v of. the embodiment, the sealbetween? the: flared tion 17c and the first. annular projection: 36o:isvpmtial as. compared with. a. more complete seal as seeni om Figure4-, and correspondingly-yther flared portion! is. only partiallyreinforced by additional material indicated-by; reference character 70;3 1- It may thus be seen that I have: invented noveh anrh highly usefulimprovements in capping; devices". offla'e type adapted to be used inconjunction with? a drop" disc pensing device. Provisionis-lmad'e forthe exclusion of; undesirable accumulations of. liquid within: the drop"dispensing device during" suchtime: as the container. of liquid withwhich the drop dispensing, device; is? used, is shaken or otherwisemoved so asrto: cause? liquid. to otherwise lodge: within: thedropdispensing: device. The. capping. device may be formed: froma a!wide variety of suitable: materials, andby resort to maintained atatvery loworder.

I'Wish it to be understood that I do not considienthe,= inventionlimitedtothe precise'details' ofstructure shown and set forth. in this.specification,.fo r= obvious nlodifica tions will occur to. thoseskilled inthe. ant to.- whichtthe present invention relates.

I'claim:

[1. A capping devicefor use 'w-ith aliquidcontainer. as a closuretherefor comprising: a generally-annularbodys having a principal. axis;said body havingai planar? surface disposed. substantiallyperpendicularly with.- respect; to said axis, a first. annular. groovedisposed inwardly of. said surface and substantially coaxiallywith:respect to said principal axis, an annular projection disposedlinward lyof said groove and substantiallyconcentrically withtre spect to saidprincipal axis;anda,secondannular-groove disposed inwardly andconcentrically; with.respect.to said annular projection]: I

[2; A capping device for use with a. liquid container as a closuretherefor comprising: a generall'y'annular body, having a" principalaxis; said "body havin'g a planar surface; disposed substantiallyperpendicularlywitlr respect tdsaid axis, a firstannulargroovedisposedinwardlyofsaidsu face and substantially cease-111p withrespect to sai'd p' cipal axis, an annular projectiond'i'spbsed inwardlyof'sh groove and substantially concentrically with respect to saidprincipal axis; and a secondiannul'ar groove disposed nwardly andconcentrically with respect to said annular injection molding techniquesthe cost' of'v theisamemaybe projection; and a second centrally disposedprojection disposed inwardly of said second groove] 3. In combination, aliquid dispensing device and a capping device therefor; said liquiddispensing device comprising: a body having a principal axis, a planarsurface disposed substantially perpendicularly with respect to saidaxis, first and second cylindrical tubes disposed concentrically withrespect to said axis and forming a cylindrically shaped intersticetherebetween; said capping device comprising a generally annular bodyhaving a principal axis, said body having a first planar surfacedisposed substantially perpendicular with respect to said axis, a firstannular groove disposed inwardly of said surface and substantiallycoaxially with respect to said principal axis, a first annularprojection disposed inwardly of said groove and concentrically withrespect thereto, a second annular groove disposed inwardly andconcentrically with respect to said first annular projection, and asecond centrally disposed projection disposed inwardly of said secondgroove; said capping device being selectively engageable with saiddispensing device in such a manner that said planar surfaces are incontact, in which position said first annular projection on said cappingdevice is adapted to enter the interstice between said first and secondcylindrical tubes.

4. In combination, a liquid dispensing device and a capping devicetherefor; said liquid dispensing device comprising: a body having aprincipal axis, a planar surface disposed substantially perpendicularlywith respect to said axis, first and second cylindrical tubes disposedconcentrically with respect to said axis and forming a cylindricallyshaped interstice therebetween; said capping device comprising: agenerally annular body having a principal axis, said body having a firstplanar surface disposed substantially perpendicular with respect to saidaxis, a first annular groove disposed inwardly of said surface andsubstantially coaxially with respect to said principal axis, a firstannular projection disposed inwardly of said groove and concentricallywith respect thereto, a second annular groove disposed inwardly andconcentrically with respect to said first annular projection; saidcapping device being selectively engageable with said dispensing devicein such a manner that said planar surfaces are in contact, in whichposition said first annular projection on said capping device is adaptedto enter the interstice between said first and second cylindrical tubes.

5. In combination a liquid dispensing device and a capping devicetherefor; said liquid dispensing device being formed of a soft syntheticresin and having a principal axis and including a generally laterallyextending planar flange, an annular bottle neck engaging portion on theperiphery of said planar flange and a tubular member having a principalaxis coincident with said principal axis and disposed substantiallyperpendicular to the plane of said planar flange, said tubular memberincluding a flared portion thereon; said capping device being formed ofa synthetic resin having a greater degree of resiliency and a lesserdegree of flexibility than said liquid dispensing device, and havingmeans thereon for engagement with a bottle neck, a planar inwardlydisposed surface adapted to contact said planar flange of said liquiddispensing device substantially at the peripheral areas thereof and anannular groove formed therein including outer and inner surfacesinterconnected by a bottom surface; said capping device when in engagedposition clearing said flared portion of said tubular member, said innercylindrical surface resiliently contacting the inner surface of saidtubular member, the depth of penetration of said tubular member by saidinner wall being determined by the engagement of said planar inwardlydisposed surface of said capping device with said planar flange of saidliquid dispensing device.

6. In combination a liquid dispensing device and a capping devicetherefor; said liquid dispensing device being formed of a soft syntheticresin and having a principal axis and including a generally laterallyextending planar flange, an annular bottle neck engaging portion on theperiphery of said planar flange, and a tubular member having a principalaxis coincident with said principal axis and disposed substantiallyperpendicular to the plane of said planar flange, said tubular memberincluding a flared portion thereon; said capping device being formed ofa synthetic resin having a greater degree of resiliency and a lesserdegree of flexibility than said liquid dispensing device, and havingthreaded means thereon for engagement with a bottle neck and a planarinwardly disposed surface adapted to contact said planar flange of saidliquid dispensing device substantially at the peripheral areas thereof;said capping device including an annular groove formed therein includingouter and inner surfaces interconnected by a bottom surface, and when inengaged position clearing said flared portion of said tubular member,said inner cylindrical surface resiliently contacting the inner surfaceof said tubular member, the depth of penetration of said tubular memberby said inner wall being determined by the engagement of said planarinwardly disposed surface of said capping device with said planar flangeof said liquid dispensing device.

7. In combination a liquid dispensing device and a capping devicetherefor; said liquid dispensing device being formed of a soft syntheticresin and having a principal axis and including a generally laterallyextending planar flange, an annular bottle neck engaging portion on theperiphery of said planar flange, and a tubular member having a principalaxis coincident with said principal axis and disposed substantiallyperpendicular to the plane of said planar flange, said tubular memberincluding a flared portion thereon; said capping device being formed ofa synthetic resin having a greater degree of resiliency and a lesserdegree of flexibility than said liquid dispensing device, and havingthreaded means thereon for engagement with a bottle neck and a planarinwardly disposed surface adapted to contact said planar flange of saidliquid dispensing device substantially at the peripheral areas thereof;said capping device including an annular groove formed therein includingouter and inner coaxially disposed cylindrical surfaces interconnectedby a bottom surface; said capping device when in engaged positionclearing said flared portion of said tubular member, said innercylindrical surface resiliently contacting the inner surface of saidtubular member, the depth of penetration of said tubular member by saidinner wall being determined by the engagement of said planar inwardlydisposed surface of said capping device with said planar flange of saidliquid dispensing device.

References Cited in the file of this patent or the original patentUNITED STATES PATENTS 1,714,211 Brownlee et a1. May 21, 1929 1,854,451Cooney Apr. 19, 1932 2,411,435 Kirschenbaum Nov. 19, 1946 2,689,665Martin Sept. 21, 1954 2,690,861 Tupper Oct. 5, 1954 2,831,613 SofterApr. 22, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 64,527 Germany Sept. 16, 1892

